My experience at the 2010 MATA festival was, to sum it up in a small word, exciting. As a composer and as a conductor. In fact, I was able to present a world premiere of my work composed during a residency in the US. The instrumentation foresaw a collaboration between the musicians of the ensembles Argento and L’arsenale. For well-known reasons, this was only partly made possible. In any case, the volcano’s eruption gave me the possibility to know and work with formidable New York musicians/friends, appreciating their seriousness and absolute professionalism. This, also thanks to the prompt reactions of the MATA Festival staff.

Not of minor importance was the place where all the events were held. (Le) Poisson Rouge, is an intimate, relaxed, and very stimulating space where one crosses paths with a public of musicians and music lovers who are always very open and attentive. The aspects that impressed me the most were exactly the absolute relaxed serenity and openness that I noticed during the festival.

Events like MATA Sound Works and the concerts of the Calder Quartet, the Pamplemousse Ensemble, Lisa Moore, and Argento gave a wide panoramic view of the vital energy in the New York music scene.

It’s not easy therefore to define the standout pieces/moments because I was left transported by a continuous enthusiasm. Beyond the evening of Argento and L’arsenale, I learned during the Calder Quartet concert of a new generation of composers that in some way have synthesized the radical minimalist tendency with intriguing timbral details. Even though it belonged to a different world, the work and performance for toy pianos (Tristan Perich’s qsqsqsqqqqqqqqq) was made very convincing.

Last but not least, I have in mind the pieces of MATA Sound Works that brought in a great public every evening!

Note from AD Chris McIntyre:
This concert was originally scheduled to present the US Debut of the Italian ensemble L’Arsenale performing works by composing members of the group and a collaboration with members of Argento on Filippo Perocco’s Veliga (the group’s Director). Unfortunately, four of the six members were unable to attend the Festival because of dangerous flight conditions caused by volcanic ash from an eruption in Iceland. MATA was forced to cancel works by Nicola Buso and Stefano Tervisi, but we were able to to hire stellar local players to perform Lorenzo Tomio’s work and to collaborate with Argento on the Perocco. Also, Argento graciously agreed to present the World Premiere of Brahim Kerkour’s work on very short notice. While we were all disappointed by L’Arsenale’s absence, the event was presented successfully and in their honor.

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Veglia [2010] (World Premiere)
Performed by L’Arsenale and Argento Chamber Ensemble, April 22WebsiteL’Arsenale

Filippo Perocco received his degree in Composition at the Conservatory in Venice. Awarded in different competitions, he has been Composer in residence at the European Centre for the Arts “KunstForum Hellerau” in Dresden (2006), Italian Arts Fellowship – Composer in residence at the American Academy in Rome (2008), Fulbright (2009). Works commissioned and performed by Holland Symphonia, Dresdner Sinfonikern, Young Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lorraine, Orchestra Filarmonia Veneta, Ensemble Vocal Modern, IXION ensemble, Vokalensemble Neue Musik Berlin, ensemble Aleph, Accroche Note, Algoritmo, KAIDA, ASTRA Choir, COROinCANTO, broadcasted by NPS Holland, Radio Belgrado, SBS Melbourne, BBC Radio 3, Polski Radio and premiered in different festivals as Gaudeamus, Venice Biennale, Manca Nice, Aspekte Salzsburg, MATA Festival New York Finestre sul ‘900, Zèppelin Festival Barcellona, Rencontres Musiques Nouvelles Lunel, The New London Wind Festival, International Review of Composers Belgrade, The Brighton Festival, Astra Concerts Melbourne, Warsaw Autumn. He studies orchestral conductorship with Emilio Pomàrico at the International Academy of Music in Milan and Sylvain Cambreling at the EuropaChorAkademie in Mainz. He is the founder and artistic director of the ensemble L’Arsenale. His works are published by ArsPublica and Doblinger.

corti e di varia ricreazione
Performed by L’Arsenale

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